Furnace Cooling System and Method

ABSTRACT

A cooling system for the distribution and collection of a fluid coolant in a metallurgical vessel used in the processing of molten materials. The cooling system comprises a distribution system including an intake manifold, a plurality of headers attached to the intake manifold, and a plurality of distribution dispensers positioned along each header. A collection system, including a collection manifold, is positioned to collect the fluid coolant. The distribution dispensers are positioned to direct the fluid coolant towards the collection manifold and utilize the majority of the kinetic energy contained within the coolant to direct the coolant towards the collection manifold.

This application is a Divisional of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/976,689 filed Oct. 29, 2004, entitled “Furnace CoolingSystem and Method”.

We, Mark Thomas Arthur, a citizen of the United States, residing at 725Harrow Lane, Franklin, Tenn. 37064; J. Michael Campbell, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at 104 Cresthaven Ct, Hendersonville, Tenn.37075; and Troy D. Ward, a citizen of the United States, residing at1304 Windmere Ct Franklin, Tenn. 37064; have invented a new and useful“Furnace Cooling System and Method.”

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

All patents and publications described herein are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the improved cooling ofmetallurgical vessels used in the processing of molten materials. Thisinvention finds particular application in conjunction with the spraycooling of the closure elements of roofs, sidewalls and hot gas ducts ofmetallurgical vessels used for processing molten materials. Moreparticularly, but without limitation, this invention relates to theliquid spray cooling (i.e. water) of the thermally enhanced surfaces offurnace systems, including electric arc furnace systems.

2. Discussion of the Art

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that metallurgicalvessels are used in the processing of molten materials to house themolten material at least during the heating step of the processing.These metallurgical vessels can process such molten materials as steeland slag. Also, these conventional metallurgical vessels include coolingsystems used to regulate the temperature of the metallurgical vessels.

For example, furnace systems of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,715,042, 4,813,055, 4,815,096 and 4,849,987, which can be described asSpray-Cooled™ electric furnace systems, are types of these conventionalmetallurgical vessels (5). The Spray-Cooled™ systems use a fluid basedcoolant to spray cool the various surfaces, or closure elements, of thefurnace in order to dissipate heat generated in the adjoining furnaceduring the material processing. These surfaces can be such closureelements as roofs and sidewalls. These surfaces are normally unitary,wherein the sidewalls include a generally cylindrical or oval shape andthe roofs normally include a generally conical shape. The Spray-Cooled™systems can be used to cool other components such as metal ducts used totransport heated gases from the furnace.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3 a, a typical Spray-Cooled™ electric furnace vessel(5) as used for steel making is shown. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate in side, topand end views, respectively, of a Spray-Cooled™ electric arc furnace.The circular water-cooled furnace roof 10 is shown being supported by afurnace mast structure 14 in a slightly raised position directly overthe rim 13 of an electric arc furnace base 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and2, the roof 10 is a unitary, or integral, one-piece closure component offrusto-conical shape which is attached by chains, cables or other rooflift members 53 to mast arms 18 and 20 which extend horizontally andspread outward from mast support 22. Mast support 22 is able to pivotaround point 24 on the upper portion of vertical mast post 16 to swingroof 10 horizontally to the side to expose the open top of furnace base12 during charging or loading of the furnace, and at other appropriatetimes during or after furnace operation.

Electrodes 15 are shown extending into opening 32 from a position aboveroof 10. During operation of the furnace, electrodes 15 are loweredthrough electrode ports of a delta opening 32 in the central roof intothe furnace interior to provide the electric arc-generated heat to meltthe charge. Exhaust port 19 permits removal of fumes generated from thefurnace interior during operation.

The furnace system is mounted on stanchion, or trunnion type supports,positioned to allow the base 12 to be tilted in either direction to pouroff slag and molten steel. The furnace roof system, as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, is set up to be used as a left-handed system whereby the mast 14may pick up the unitary, one-piece roof 10 and swing it horizontally ina counterclockwise manner (as viewed from above the system) clear of thefurnace rim 13 to expose the furnace interior. Alternately, the furnaceroof system can be set up as a right-handed system whereby the mast 14may pick up the roof 10 and swing it horizontally in a clockwise manner.

To prevent excessive heat buildup on the lower metal surface 38 of roof10 as it is exposed to the interior of base 12, a roof cooling system 98is incorporated therein. A similar sidewall cooling system is shown at100, and best seen in FIGS. 3 and 3 a, for regulating the temperature ofthe furnace sidewall 138. The furnace sidewall 138 is in the form of aunitary, one-piece cylindrically shaped shell. Refractory liner 101,positioned below the sidewall cooling system 100, contains a body ofmolten material 103. The cooling systems 98 or 100 utilize a fluidcoolant, such as water or some other suitable liquid, to cool thefurnace roof, sidewall, or other closure element as the temperatures ofthe closure elements increase due to the heat generated from the moltenmaterial 103.

The cooling systems 98 and 100, which can be referred to as coolantcirculation systems, comprise a coolant supply system and a coolantcollection system, and may also include coolant re-circulation system.The coolant inlet pipe 26 and outlet pipes 28 a and 28 b comprise thecoolant connections for the illustrated left-handed configured furnaceroof 10. An external circulation system (not shown) utilizes coolantsupply pipe 30 to supply coolant to coolant connection 26 and coolantdrain pipes 36 a and 36 b to drain coolant from the coolant connections28 a and 28 b of roof 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

A flexible coolant supply hose 31 is attached to coolant supply pipe 30and to coolant inlet pipe 26 on the periphery of furnace roof 10. Thisattachment is by a fastener, such as a quick release coupling. As shownbest in FIG. 2, inlet 26 leads to an inlet manifold 29 which ispositioned in the un-pressurized interior of roof 10. Alternately, theportion of the cooling system around the circumference of the vesselwall includes inlet manifold 29 which extends around furnace 13 as shownin FIG. 3 a.

Branching radially outward from manifold 29 in a spoke-like pattern ofpipes 33, or spray headers 33, positioned deliver the coolant to thevarious sections of the roof interior 23. Protruding downward fromvarious points on each header 33 is a plurality of distributiondispenser 34, or spray nozzles 34, which direct coolant to the upperside of the lower roof panel 38, or inner plate 38. The spray nozzles 34direct the fluid coolant to the lower roof panel 38 in a spray or finedroplet pattern. The lower panel 38 slopes gradually downwardly fromcenter portion, or opening 32, of the roof to the periphery.

After being sprayed onto the lower roof panels 38, the spent coolantdrains outwardly along the top of lower roof panels 38 and passesthrough drain inlets or openings 51 a, 51 b and 51 c in a drain system.The drain system shown includes a drain manifold 49 which is made ofrectangular cross section tubing, or the like, divided into segments 47a and 47 b. A similar drain system (not shown) is provided for furnacebase 12.

As seen in FIG. 2, drain openings 51 a and 51 b are on opposite sides ofthe roof. The drain manifold includes a closed channel extending aroundthe interior of the roof periphery. The drain manifold is positionednear the lower level of the lower roof panels 38 and can becircumferentially separated by partitions or walls 48 and 50. The walls48 and 50 separate the drain manifold into draining segments 47 a and 47b. Drain manifold segment 47 a connects drain openings 51 a, 51 b and 51c with coolant outlet pipe 28 a. Drain manifold segment 47 b is in fullcommunication with segment 47 a via pipe connector 44 and connects drainopenings 51 a, 51 b and 51 c with coolant outlet pipe 28 b. Flexiblecoolant drain hose 37 connects outlet 28 a to coolant drain pipe 36 awhile flexible coolant drain hose 35 connects outlet 28 b and coolantdrain pipe 36 b. Quick release fasteners or other couplings may be usedto connect the hoses and pipes. The coolant collection system canutilize pressure, such as a pump, to quickly and efficiently drain thedischarged coolant from the roof 10 through coolant drain pipes 36 a and36 b.

Additionally, a second set of coolant connections, which may be used asthe main connections for a right-handed installation of roof 10, isprovided. This second, or right-handed, set of coolant connectionscomprises coolant inlet 40 and coolant outlet 42. The left andright-handed coolant connections are on opposite sides of roof 10relative to a line passing through mast pivot point 24 and the center ofthe roof 10, and lie in adjacent quadrants of the roof. As with theleft-handed coolant inlet pipe 26, the right-handed coolant inlet pipe40 is connected to inlet manifold 29. As with the left-handed coolantoutlet 28, the right-handed coolant outlet 42 includes separate outletpipes 42 a and 42 b which communicate with the separate segments 47 aand 47 b of the coolant drain manifold which are split by partition 50.

To prevent coolant from escaping through the right-handed coolantconnections during installation of roof 10 in a left-handed system, theindividual roof coolant inlets and outlets are seal or rerouted. Forexample, a removable cap 46 may be secured over the opening to coolantinlet 40 to seal the inlet 40. Additionally, a removable U-shapedconduit or pipe connector 44 connects and seals the separate coolantoutlet openings 42 a and 42 b to prevent leakage from the roof. The pipeconnector 44 also provides for continuity of flow between drain manifoldsegments 47 a and 47 b around partition 50. Where the draining coolantis under pressure, such as suction pressure, the pipe connector 44 andcap 46 also prevent atmospheric leakage into the drain manifoldsections.

During operation of the roof as shown in FIGS. 1-3 a, coolant wouldenter from the coolant circulation system through coolant pipe 30, hose31, and into coolant inlet 26. Then, the coolant would be distributedaround the interior of the roof by inlet manifold 29, spray headers 33,and nozzles 34. Coolant inlet 40, also connected to inlet manifold 29,is reserved for right-handed installation use and therefore would besealed off by cap 46.

After coolant is sprayed from nozzles 34 on spray headers 33 to cool theroof bottom 38, the coolant is collected and received through drainopenings 51 a, 51 b and 51 c into the drain manifold extending aroundthe periphery of the roof 10 and exits through coolant outlet 28. Asseen in FIG. 2, coolant draining through openings 51 a, 51 b and 51 c onsegment 47 a of the drain manifold may exit the roof directly throughcoolant outlet 28 a, through outlet hose 37 and into drain outlet pipe36 a before being recovered by the coolant collection system.

Coolant draining through openings 51 a, 51 b and 51 c on segment 47 a ofthe drain manifold may also travel through coolant outlet 42 b, throughU-shaped connector 44, and back through coolant outlet 42 a intomanifold segment 47 b in order to pass around partition 50. The coolantwould then drain from drain manifold segment 47 b through coolant outlet28 b, outlet hose 35 and through drain pipe 36 b to the coolantcollection means. Right-handed coolant outlet 42 is not utilized todirectly drain coolant from the roof, but is made part of the drainingcircuit through the use of U-shaped connector 44. Upon being drainedfrom the roof, the coolant may either be discharged elsewhere or may bere-circulated back into the roof by the coolant system. Left-handedcoolant connections 26 and 28 are positioned on roof 10 closely adjacentto the location of mast structure 14 to minimize hose length. Viewingthe mast structure 14 as being located at a 6 o'clock position, theleft-handed coolant connection is located at a 7 to 8 o'clock position.

As previously noted, the various surfaces of the metallurgical vesselscan be exposed to unusually high temperatures during the processing ofthe molten materials. In the operation of a furnace system as abovedescribed, these surfaces include the frusto-conically shaped metal roofinner plate 38 or the cylindrically shaped metal sidewall unitaryclosure element inner plate 138. These closure elements may be exposedto significantly increased amounts of radiant thermal energy, asindicated at 107, from the arc or flame within the furnace. Thisexposure normally occurs when the electrodes are positioned above amolten metal batch or when the electrodes begin to bore-in to a scrapcharge 109.

This high temperature exposure can thermally stress these variousregions and result in a risk of fatigue and failure at such regions,especially in reference to other regions of the metallurgical vessel.Additionally, due to the geometry of metallurgical vessels and theheating elements used in the process, such as electrodes and theaccompanying oxygen lances, variations in the temperature of thesurfaces of the furnace closure elements is common. As such, the hottestsurface area of the roof of the metallurgical vessel is traditionallyproximate to the central delta opening 32 of the roof 10.

These conditions result in higher temperatures and thermal stress at onesite, or region, as compared to other portions thereof. Thiscircumstance can occur due to the relative position of the furnaceelectrodes, oxygen lances, or other non-uniform furnace operatingconditions.

In order to increase the useful life of the various portions of themetallurgical vessel, the prior art has developed cooling system aspreviously described. The conventional wisdom has been to focus thecooling effort of these cooling systems on the areas of increasedtemperature. Additionally, the conventional wisdom has been to supplymore cooling fluid, or coolant, to the areas of increased temperature,or high heat load regions.

In the prior art as shown in FIG. 4, the coolant is directed straight atthe region requiring the increased cooling. In the case of electric arcfurnace roofs this region is often times the substantially verticalclosure element which extends around the central delta opening 32 andthe surrounding surfaces.

Conventionally, the inlet manifold 29 is positioned proximate to andextends around central delta opening 32 in the un-pressurized interiorof roof 10. As such, the difficulty in directing the coolant to the hightemperature areas is increased. This positioning of the inlet manifold29 basically requires the spray nozzles to be positioned under the inletmanifold. Additionally, these conventional systems require the spraynozzles to be directed upward towards the delta opening 32.

In operation, the conventional cooling systems use gravity to drain thespent coolant down and out along the top of the lower roof panels 38toward the collection systems. Conversely, the various nozzlesspecifically direct unspent, fresh, or new coolant up towards theopening and the surrounding surfaces. The result is the upwardlydirected spraying of new coolant directly opposes the downwardgravitational force being applied to the spent coolant. Also, since theforce used to direct the new coolant upward opposes the gravitationalpull on the spent coolant, the spent coolant tends to be maintained inthe higher heat regions, or even pushed back upwards toward the higherheat regions.

As a result, the spent coolant increases in depth, or thickness, in thehigher heat regions and retains the heat in the higher heat regions.Additionally, the new coolant cannot properly reach the higher heatregions due to the presence of the spent coolant. This increase in depthof the spent coolant over the higher heat regions combined with theinability of the new coolant to properly reach the higher heat regionssignificantly reduces the cooling capacity of the conventional coolingsystems. As a result, the prior art attempts to cool the higher heatregions by directing coolant upward toward the higher heat regions hasactually reduced the cooling capacity of these systems and failed toadequately cool the higher heat regions.

What is needed, then, is a cooling system for a metallurgical vesselthat is designed to properly utilize the energy and geometry of themetallurgical vessel to increase the cooling capacity of the coolingsystem. This cooling system is currently lacking in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Included herein is a cooling system for the distribution and collectionof a fluid coolant in a metallurgical vessel used in the processing ofmolten materials. The cooling system comprises a distribution systemincluding an intake manifold, a plurality of headers attached to theintake manifold, and a plurality of distribution dispensers positionedalong each header. Also included is a collection system including acollection manifold positioned to collect the fluid coolant. Thedistribution dispensers are positioned to direct the fluid coolanttowards the collection manifold and utilize the majority of the kineticenergy contained within the coolant to direct the coolant towards thecollection manifold.

In a preferred embodiment first and second headers are attached onsubstantially opposite sides of the intake manifold and the secondheader is vertically positioned below the first header. Themetallurgical vessel includes a high heat region and the intake manifoldis spaced from the high heat region. The overall effect is such that thepositioning of the majority of the distribution dispensers and theutilization of the majority of the kinetic energy contained within thecoolant directs the previously discharged coolant towards the collectionmanifold.

Also included is a metallurgical vessel used in the processing of moltenmaterials. The metallurgical vessel comprises an inner plate includingan interior surface, an outer plate spaced from the inner plate anddefining a substantially enclosed space, a distribution system, and acollection system. The inner plate, outer plate spaced, substantiallyenclosed space, distribution system, and collection system of themetallurgical vessel can comprise various portions of the metallurgicalvessel, including but not limited to the top, sides, bottom, ducts, andthe like.

The distribution system is positioned within the enclosed space todistribute a kinetically energized fluid coolant to the inner plate. Thedistribution system includes supply pipes for the transportation of thecoolant. The supply pipes can include an intake manifold, a plurality ofheaders attached to the intake manifold, and a plurality of distributiondispensers positioned along each header. The intake manifold ispositioned between a first and a second header and is positionedsubstantially in the middle of the enclosed space.

The collection system includes a collection manifold for the collectionof the fluid coolant. The collection manifold is peripherally positionedaround the distribution system and vertically positioned below amajority of the distribution system, while the inner surface slopestowards the collection manifold. The distribution dispensers arepositioned towards the collection manifold to use a majority of thekinetic energy contained within the fluid coolant to direct the fluidcoolant toward the collection manifold.

Preferably, a line of intersection extends between each distributiondispenser and the inner surface. The distribution dispensers arepositioned to direct the fluid coolant to intersect the interior surfaceat an oblique angle along the line of intersection. The oblique angle ispreferably an obtuse angle as measured from the line of intersectiontowards the collection manifold. Additionally, the distribution systemdistributes the fluid coolant against the inner plate at a quantitysufficient for maintaining the plate at a predetermined temperature.

Also included is a method of controlling a flow of fluid coolant from adispensing point to a collection point to cool a thermally enhancedsurface of a metallurgical vessel used in the processing of moltenmaterials. The method comprises directing the fluid flow to strike theheated surface at an obtuse angle as measured in the direction of thecollection point of the metallurgical vessel. Additionally, the methodincludes using a majority of the kinetic energy contained within thefluid coolant to direct previously dispensed fluid coolant towards acollection point.

Also included is a spray cooling system for an electric arc furnacecontaining molten material. The spray cooling system enables improvedcooling protection at thermally stressed wall sections of variousclosure elements of the furnace. The spray cooling system sprays coolanttowards the various wall sections to impact the wall sections whilesimultaneously utilizing the kinetic energy contained in the coolant toforce the coolant away from the thermally stressed areas. This forcedmovement of the coolant reduces the buildup of undesirable spent coolantand maximizes the heat transfer coefficient between the inner surfaceand the coolant. The spray coolant is directed such that a majority ofthe available kinetic energy is directing the spent coolant towards thedirection of a coolant discharge. More preferably the spray coolant isdirected such that at least 70% of the available kinetic energy in thecoolant is directed towards the coolant discharge. In the spray coolingsystem, portions of the transportation elements that carry the coolantare relocated away from the areas of increased thermal stress. Typicallythe coolant is directed away from the thermally stressed area at anangle preferably ranging between 20 degrees to 45 degrees fromperpendicular with respect to the surface to which the coolant strikes.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide animproved cooling system for a metallurgical vessel.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the cooling systemof an electric arc furnace used to process molten metal.

Yet another object of the present invention is to improve the cooling ofthermally stressed regions of a metallurgical vessel used in theprocessing of molten material.

Still another object of the present invention is to improve the coolingof a furnace by specifically controlling the angle of impact of acoolant to a heated surface in a metallurgical vessel.

And yet still another object of the present invention is to control theimpact of a coolant to a surface in order to keep from building up spentcoolant in a thermally stressed area.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to use the kineticenergy contained within a fluid to control the movement of that fluid.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize the buildup ofspent coolant used during the cooling of a top of a metallurgical vesselused in the processing of molten material.

Another object of the present invention is to maximize the heat transfercoefficient between an inner surface and a coolant used to cool ametallurgical vessel containing molten material.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art uponreading of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a typical electric furnaceinstallation showing a furnace vessel, a furnace roof in a raisedposition over the furnace vessel and a mast supporting structure for theroof.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partially cut away and partially in section,of a Spray-Cooled™ furnace roof of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view, partly in section, of the electricfurnace installation of FIG. 1 also showing the refractory lined moltenmetal-containing portion of the furnace vessel and furnace side wallspray cooling components.

FIG. 3 a is an enlarged partial view of the sectional portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a partial elevation view of the roof 10 showing typical crosssection of the prior art with nozzles 34 directed upwards at an angle oftypically 17° from perpendicular.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the roof of ametallurgical vessel including the improved cooling system.

FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional partial view of a section of theroof and cooling system positioned therein.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of one of the distribution dispensers showndispensing the fluid in a substantially conical shape.

FIG. 8 is an additional detailed cross-sectional view of thedistribution system showing the spent coolant being directed towards thecollection manifold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now generally to FIGS. 5-8, a top for a metallurgical vesselused in the processing of molten materials is generally shown anddesignated by the numeral (201). The top is shown for illustrativepurposes, but the principals of the inventive aspects of this disclosureon can be applied to other portions of a metallurgical vessel, such assidewalls, ducts, or other area or section exposed to heat and desiredto be cooled.

The top (201) comprises an inner plate (238) including an inner surface(239), an outer plate (211) spaced from the inner plate (238) to definea substantially enclosed space (205). The top (201) also comprises acooling system (200) including a distribution system (204) and acollection system (206). The distribution system (204) is positionedwithin the enclosed space (205) to distribute kinetically energizedfluid coolant (202) to the inner plate (238). The inner plate (238) canalso be described as a lower plate (238) or a bottom plate (238), whilethe outer plate (211) can also be described as an upper plate (211).

The cooling system (200) is for the distribution and collection of fluidcoolant (202) in a metallurgical vessel (5) used in the processing ofmolten materials. The cooling system comprises a distribution system(204) and a collection system (206). The distribution system (204)includes a plurality of supply pipes (208) and a plurality ofdistribution dispensers (210). The supply pipes (208) can include aplurality of headers, such as a first header (212) and a second header(214), attached to an intake manifold (216). The distribution dispensers(210) can be positioned along the supply pipes (208), and morespecifically along the headers (212 and 214). The collection system(206) includes a collection manifold (218) positioned to collect thecoolant (202). The distribution dispensers (210) are positioned todirect the coolant (202) towards the collection manifold (218) andutilize a majority of the kinetic energy contained within the coolant(202) to direct the coolant (202) towards the collection manifold (218).The distribution dispensers (210), which can also be described as spraynozzles (210), can also be described as being positioned towards thecollection manifold (206) to use a majority of the kinetic energycontained within the coolant (202) to direct the coolant towards thecollection manifold (218).

The positioning of the distribution dispensers (210) and the use of themajority of the kinetic energy contained within the coolant (202)directs previously discharged fluid coolant (203) towards the collectionmanifold (218). The distribution system (204) includes distributiondispensers (210) positioned to supply fluid coolant (202) to a high heatregion (220), which can also be described as a higher temperaturelocation (220). However, the distribution system (204) is configured touse the kinetic energy of the fluid coolant (202) to direct the fluidcoolant (202) and the previously discharged fluid coolant (203) awayfrom the high heat regions (220). As such the distribution system (204)is positioned to minimize the buildup of previously discharged coolant(203) and to maximize the heat transfer coefficient between the innerplate (238) and the coolant (202 and 203) in the facilitation of coolingthe top (201).

In a preferred embodiment the distribution dispensers (210) arepositioned to direct the coolant (202) to intersect the inner surface(239) at an oblique angle (224) along a line of intersection (222). Theline of intersection (222) is a line from each distribution dispenser(210) to the inner surface (239). The line of intersection (222) ispreferably the center line of the distribution area of the fluid coolant(202) from the distribution dispensers (210), as seen in FIG. 7. Theoblique angle (224) is an obtuse angle as measured from the line ofintersection (222) towards the collection manifold (218), as seen inFIGS. 5 and 6.

Preferably the first header (212) and second header (214) are attachedon substantially opposite sides of the intake manifold (216). As suchthe intake manifold (216) is positioned between the first header (212)and second header (214). Additionally, the second header (214) isvertically positioned below the first header (212). Preferably theintake manifold (216) is positioned substantially in the middle of theenclosed space (205). The first header (212) and second header (214) canbe described as being attached to the intake manifold (216) in asubstantially opposed alignment.

The distribution system (204) distributes coolant (202) against theinner plate (238) at a quantity sufficient for maintaining the innersurface (239) at a predetermined temperature. This predeterminedtemperature is a temperature that reduces the thermal stress upon thevarious surfaces of the metallurgical vessel (5). This predeterminedtemperature can be defined as a temperature that varies within apredetermined temperature range. Preferably, this temperature range isbetween 40 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. More preferably, this temperaturerange is between 70 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Most preferably, thistemperature range is between 100 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

The top (201) to the metallurgical vessel (5) includes at least one highheat region (220) located proximate to the opening (232) of the top(201). The intake manifold (216) is spaced from the high heat region(220) to facilitate the positioning of the distribution dispensers (210)to supply coolant (202) to the high heat region (220) at a propertrajectory. The repositioning of the intake manifold (216) allows forthe proper directional alignment of the distribution dispensers (210) tofacilitate the heat reduction of the inner plate (238).

Preferably the collection manifold (218) is peripherally positionedaround the distribution system (204). Additionally, the collectionmanifold (218) is vertically positioned below a majority of thedistribution system (204). The inner surface (239) also slopes towardsthe collection manifold (218). More specifically, the inner plate (238)slopes from the opening (232) to the collection manifold (218) tofacilitate the gravitational flow of the previously discharged fluid(203) to the collection manifold (218).

Alternately, the distribution dispensers (210) can be described as beingattached to at least one supply pipe (208) in an attachment plane (226).As such, each distribution dispenser (210) is positioned at an acuteangle (228) as measured from the attachment plane (226) toward thecollection manifold (218). Each distribution dispenser (210) ispositioned at this acute angle (228) to direct the coolant (222) alongthe line of intersection (222) and toward the collection manifold (218).The positioning of the distribution dispensers (210) uses a majority ofthe kinetic energy contained within the fluid coolant (202) to controlthe flow of fluid coolant (202) away from the higher temperaturelocation (220). Additionally, the positioning of the distributiondispensers (210) and the use of the majority of the kinetic energycontained within the fluid coolant (202) directs previously dischargedfluid (203) away from the higher temperature location (220). As such,the distribution system (204) facilitates the heat transfer from theinner plate (238) to the coolant (202). Additionally, the distributionsystem (204) minimizes the collection of previously discharged fluid(203) and the circulation of unspent coolant (202) to the highertemperature location (220).

Preferably the spray nozzles (210) direct the coolant (202) to the lowerpanels (238) in a spray pattern. The spray pattern is substantiallyconical in shape and comprises droplets of coolant (202). The range ofcoverage by the conical shaped spray preferably extends approximately 55degrees on either side of the center line (222) of the pattern asmeasured from the dispensing spray nozzle (220).

The positioning and the alignment of the spray nozzles (210) aredesigned such that the majority of the available kinetic energy in thefluid coolant (202) is not counter-productive to the gravitational flowof the spent coolant (203). As such, the alignment of the spray nozzles(210) directs the spent coolant (203), and the unspent coolant (202),outwardly towards the collection manifold (218) and away from the heatload region (220).

In contrast, as depicted in FIG. 4, the prior art nozzles (34) aredirected upward, typically at an angle of approximately 17 degrees froma line perpendicular to the lower plate (38), at the opening (32). Assuch, if the prior art nozzles (34) have a traditional full cone spraypattern approximately 65% of the available kinetic energy in the coolantof the prior art systems impedes or restricts the gravitational flow ofthe spent coolant towards the collection manifold.

Conversely, the spray nozzles (210) in the current invention aredirected downward at an angle greater than zero as measured from aperpendicular line down from the dispenser to the closure elements (238and 232). More preferably this angle measures from 10 degrees to 75degrees and most preferably the angle ranges from 20 degrees to 45degrees. As such the inventive distribution system (204) most preferablyuses approximately 75% of the available kinetic energy to direct thespent coolant (203) in the direction of the gravitational flow of thecoolant (202 and 203) towards the collection manifold (218).

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of thepresent invention of a new and useful Furnace Cooling System and Method,it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations uponthe scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

All patents and publications described or discussed herein are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

1. A method of controlling a flow of fluid coolant from a dispensingpoint to a collection point to cool a thermally enhanced surface of ametallurgical vessel used in the processing of molten materials, themethod comprising: directing a majority of the fluid to strike thesurface at an obtuse angle as measured in the direction of thecollection point of the metallurgical vessel.
 2. The method of claim 1,further including using a majority of the kinetic energy containedwithin the fluid coolant to direct previously dispensed fluid coolanttoward the collection point.
 3. The method of claim 1, further includingdirecting the majority of the fluid to maintain the thermally enhancedsurface of the metallurgical vessel at a predetermined temperature. 4.The method of claim 1, further including dispersing the majority of thefluid to the thermally enhanced surface in a cone shaped design.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further including initially directing the fluid inopposite directions from the supply line before dispersing the fluid. 6.A method of controlling a flow of fluid coolant from a dispensing pointto a collection point to cool a thermally enhanced surface of ametallurgical vessel used in the processing of molten materials, themethod comprising: using a majority of the kinetic energy containedwithin the fluid coolant to direct previously dispensed fluid coolanttoward the collection point of the metallurgical vessel.
 7. The methodof claim 6, further including directing a majority of the fluid tostrike the surface at an obtuse angle as measured in the direction ofthe collection point.
 8. The method of claim 6, further includingdirecting the majority of the fluid to maintain the thermally enhancedsurface of the metallurgical vessel at a predetermined temperature. 9.The method of claim 6, further including dispersing the majority of thefluid to the thermally enhanced surface in a cone shaped design.
 10. Themethod of claim 6, further including initially directing the fluid inopposite directions from the supply line before dispersing the fluid.